Focusing on performance optimization and courtroom skills-building, the first part of the program equips participants with the same performance optimization skills used by professional athletes. These sessions are led by internationally recognized faculty from the Sport and Performance Psychology program. The second half of the program—led by Sturm College of Law faculty and alumni—provides special insight into courtroom procedure, the role of the expert witness, working effectively with attorneys, and managing cross-examinations.

This one-day workshop is open to psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and other mental health professionals who want to improve their testimony skills and reduce anxiety in the courtroom. The program is eligible for 5.5 APA continuing education credits. Continuing legal education credits to be determined.

Boot Camp Rates

Expert Witness Boot Camp Trainers

Hosted by Neil Gowensmith, PhD - Denver FIRST Director & Forensic Psychology Program, Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver

Artur Poczwardowski, PhDSport Performance Psychology Program, Graduate School of Professional Psychology University of Denver

Dr. Poczwardowski received his Ph.D. in exercise and sport science with specialization in psychosocial aspects of sport from University of Utah, Salt Lake City, a master’s degree in coaching and physical education from University of Physical Education in Gdansk, Poland and a master’s degree in psychology from Gdansk University, Poland.

Currently he is a professor at University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology and, in the past he worked at Barry University (Miami Shores, Florida), St. Lawrence University (Canton, New York), University of Utah (Salt Lake City, Utah), and University of Physical Education in Gdansk (Poland) Courses that he has taught include psycho-social aspects of sport, applied sport psychology, consulting methods and practices, group dynamics in sports, motor learning and control, training planning and periodization, psychophysiological aspects in human movement, research methods, and qualitative research methods.

He has over 40 publications (of which 19 are published in peer-reviewed journals, 11 re book chapters, 1 is a co-edited book, and 13 are publications for different professional journals). He delivered over 70 professional presentations on national and international level and over 60 invited and educational lectures and workshops in the United States, Canada, Greece, Denmark, Mexico, and Poland. His publications and professional presentations focus on sport psychology practice for performance enhancement and psychological well-being, coach-athlete relationships, and coping strategies in elite performers. For two years (2004 – 2006) he served as an Associate Editor for The Sport Psychologist and he currently serves on its Editorial Board. In 2006 he was nominated for the President of Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), which has membership from about 30 countries. He currently serves in the Managerial Council of the International Society of Sport Psychology (2013-2017).

Since 1991, Dr. Poczwardowski has consulted with athletes and teams from a number of sports (tennis, golf, hockey, judo, squash, baseball, team handball, soccer, track and field, diving, rowing, cycling, air pistol shooting, alpine skiing, cross country skiing, figure skating, and speed skating). At the elite level, he worked with the Polish national men’s and women’s judo teams (1991 & 1992 European Championships, 1992 World Championships, and 1992 Olympic Games) and St. Lawrence University Division I women’s hockey team (2001 and 2004 Frozen Four). In 2006, he founded Planet Excellence Sports, Inc. and delivered mental training to elite tennis players and golfers. He is a partner in Sport & Performance Excellence Consultants, LLC that provides sport psychology services in the Denver metro area. He is a Certified Consultant AASP (the Association for Applied Sport Psychology) in performance enhancement and is listed in United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Sport Psychology Registry.

Peter J. Weinberg, PhDLitigare ‎Trial Consulting

Peter Weinberg is a psychological expert with extensive knowledge and understanding of sociology and linguistics. Peter has been called upon by top trial lawyers nationally to provide his knowledge and skills for a wide variety of civil and criminal matters.

As Lītigāre's lead consultant, Peter has presented at a series of local and national conferences on the psychology of jury and trial consulting, the use of visual imagery in story telling and on the most current research on creating effective Power Points. Peter has also accepted invitations from some of the nations leading law firms for internal litigation trainings.

The University of Colorado’s National Center for Media Forensics (NCMF) invited Lītigāre to consult on the development and implementation of their mock trial and expert witness training programs. Lītigāre consults with NCMF regularly on expert witness training and curriculum.

Peter continues his work in psychology by consulting in the mental health field and working with the Colorado Legislature on mental health related legislation. This leadership lead to an appointment by Governor Ritter Jr. to the Colorado Autism Commission where he worked with the legal and mental health community to develop Colorado's 10 year strategic Autism plan.

Colleen Covell has been practicing law for 25 years and has been a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney's Office since 1996, first with the D.C. office and now with the Denver office. She has investigated, indicted and tried hundreds of criminal cases, including death penalty cases, homicides, drug conspiracies, kidnappings, child pornography, domestic terrorism, national security cases, and cybercrime. She also has extensive appellate experience, having argued numerous cases before the D.C. Circuit. Currently, she is the U.S. Attorney's Office's Federal Bureau of Prison's Coordinator, and handles all the violent crime and corruption originating in the Federal Prison Complex in Florence, Colorado, including the Supermax.

Honorable Brian Bowen Adams County Veterans Court

Judge Bowen graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. He graduated from the Southwestern University College of Law in Los Angeles, California in 1986 and was licensed to practice in 1987. He has been in private practice and was a Small Claims Court Magistrate in Adams and Weld Counties as well as a Municipal Court Judge in Brighton, Commerce City, Northglenn, Thornton and Westminster before becoming a Magistrate in the Seventeenth Judicial District. He served as a Magistrate for the Seventeenth Judicial District since September 1, 2003 and was appointed to the County Bench on January 3, 2011.